About Lesson
Introduction
- Belongs to Genus Brassica and family Cruciferae.
- Annual or biennial herb.
- Self-pollinated but some cross pollination also occurs.
- Fruits are called sisiqua or silique.
Important species of Brassica
|
Botanical Name |
Common name |
|
Brassica juncea |
Indian mustard, Brown mustard, Rai, Raya |
|
B. campestris var sarson |
Yellow sarson |
|
B. campestris var toria |
Tori |
|
B. campestris var dichotoma |
Brown Sarson |
|
B. carinata |
Abyssinian/Ethiopian mustard |
|
B. nigra |
Black mustard |
|
B. napus |
European rape (Canola) |
|
Eruca sativa |
Taramira |
|
Brassica tournefortelii |
Wild Mustard |
|
B. alba |
White Mustard |
Importance
- Oilseed cake have high protein content and therefore used as livestock ration and also as manure.
- Young seedlings and leaves also used as green vegetables
- Green stem and leaves also as green fodder and green manure
- Shoots rich in sulfur and minerals
Uses of oil
- Cooking and flavoring medium
- In manufacture of hair oil, medicine, soaps etc
- In tanning industry to soften leather
- High content of erucic acid favors use in lubricating oils, hydraulic fuels etc
- In ayurvedic medicated oils for massage in paralytic diseases
Origin and Distribution
- Brassica campestris originated in eastern Afghanistan and adjoining parts of Pakistan and India
- Brassica juncea originated in China
- Widely grown in Canada, Europe, Russia, China, Japan, India, Nepal and Australia.
